(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – Nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) at the Albany Medical Center are calling for a mediator to continue contract negotiations after Nurses announced they are far from reaching a new agreement - and that Nurses will hold an informational picket at the hospital on August 20th.

The Nurses held a press conference last week to update the community on the status of safe staffing and contract negotiations.  Their current contract expired on July 31st.

NYSNA Nurses remain firm on their demands for safe staffing and a real plan to recruit and retain enough Nurses for safe patient care.

They are calling on Albany Med to include the safe staffing plan administrators submitted to the New York State Department of Health in the contract and make it enforceable, but management has refused, Union Officials said.

Nurses also contend Albany Med’s offer on Nurse pay is not enough to address the Nurse staffing crisis that has seen more Nurses leave Albany Med than they can hire.

NYSNA Nurses also want Union rights included in the contract - management does not.

Several NYSNA Leaders and Members of the Nurse Negotiating Committee spoke out and provided more details about the key sticking points in negotiations during the news conference.

Infectious Disease Nurse Tonia Bazel said: "It became clear to us Albany Med administrators (are) not serious about addressing the staffing and retention crisis.  Negotiations broke down because we were too far apart on the issues that matter most - enforceable safe staffing, fair pay to hire and retain Nurses - and respect.  I’ve seen the impact of unsafe staffing throughout the hospital.  My friends and family members have experienced it as patients.  Our patients and community deserve quality care with enough Nurses at the bedside.  That’s our bottom line."

Registered Nurse and Negotiating Committee Member Jennifer Kiehle said: “Management refuses to include the staffing plan they submitted to the Department of Health in our contract. It’s easy to agree to numbers on paper if you never intend to follow them.  A plan with numbers won’t deliver quality care to our patients - actually following that plan and staffing our hospital with experienced Nurses will.”

Nurses also delivered a notice for informational picketing at the hospital on August 20th.

More actions may be planned, NYSNA Representatives said. 

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Albany Med Nurses Give Bargaining Update, Announce Info Picket as Contract Negotiations Break Down | New York State Nurses Association (nysna.org)

News Conference Photo Courtesy Of NYSNA.